Florencia Villarroel,17
Chile
For me it is important to have a good relationship with the people around me. When you move to a new country, sometimes it feels lonely, so the few people you know can be a great support. Nobody wants to be alone. It is important that there is a place at home where I can be with my new friends.
Florinel Muntean- Voicu, 48
Romania
I love the environment, the animals and the quiet places in the countryside with many forests and lakes. I also like to meet people from different cultures with different mentalities.
I hate the crime and corruption that exists in my country. The whole of Europe is in a bad situation right now, and therefore I have chosen to stay here on Åland. There is no military, not so much crime, nice people and it is a very quiet place.
Dace Rudzite,31
Latvia
For me it is important to feel "at home" so it makes you happy when you come home and feel comfortable there. Your house should also transmit your personality - it should say something about who lives there. I also think light is very important. There should be nice lighting in the house.
Ulay, 9
Germany
It feels strange, and a bit exciting to move to a new country, but it gets more fun when you've learned the language. I want to live in a house where I can have animals, with open places where you can play outside, without a lot of cars. I also like being on the beach a lot.
Ahmad Shafiei, 54
Iran
Safety is the most important thing for me. I want to feel comfortable in my house with my own origins, while at the same time my house shows that I blend in with the culture of my new homeland.
Olena, 36
Ukraine
My house should have large windows and a fireplace in the living room. The basic color indoors should be light to allow changing of decoration easily, depending on the season or just on my mood or state of mind. I like to work with flowers in the garden. To have a cozy house is important for me, so that my family and friends feel comfortable when they come to visit
Katie, Wu Shuk Man, 33
Hong Kong
I want to have enough space for the children to be able to play both indoors and outdoors. A yard big enough for an inflatable pool as well as a sauna and a fireplace. Plenty of light in both summer and winter, and preferably also nature views.
Alessio, 34
Italy
I like wide open spaces with large bedrooms. I want to have many windows that allow plenty of light and preferably close to nature. The kitchen is for me the heart of the house and I would like it to be large enough to be able to just sit there and mingle even if you are not cooking.
Anna Blaszczak Simionescu, 39
Poland
For me it is important to feel safe, to have a steady job and maybe have more activities and restaurants. At home, I want a lot of space and light - big windows, a fairly large balcony, a well equipped kitchen, nice decor everywhere, enough electrical outlets and data sockets so as to avoid unnecessary cables.
Rudy Diaz Ortiz, 49
Dominican Republic
To me, the most important thing to feel comfortable where I live is to have a job. I enjoy life with my wife, my family and in our house. I like living on Åland, everybody is nice here.
Mayrelis Gilbert
Cuba
I want to feel at home among all my family memories. I also enjoy listening to Cuban music at home to keep my Cuban identity
Zainabu Nyamor, 32
Kenya
Right now, the one thing I enjoy and makes me feel safe is my job. I like Åland because I have a good job here. That´s the reason I traveled from Finland to Åland - to work.
Effie, 29
Greece
To feel comfortable where I live, it is important that the enviroment is pleasant and harmonious.I think it is important to live in a place where it can develop in different ways, for example, have good quality of life, good working environment, government protection and public safety. The combination of all this and to have friends, family and good people around you is most important of all, and of course to be healthy and feel good!
Megan Mattsson
Australia
It is important for me to look at the scenery, watch the changing light of day and feel the weather's drama. Now that I live in a cold climate, I can not live without the flicker of a wood fire, and so I would like to have cozy fur rugs to help my house feel inviting and warm.
Thushara Sujith, 35
India
I would like a smart house with many advantages, equipped with lighting, extra toilet, underfloor heating and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely via telephone or computer.
Yuli Chandra Karlsson, 35
Indonesia
I want to be able to cook Indonesian food in my kitchen. The kitchen makes me feel at home.
Mats Asterhag, 53
Sweden
Proximity to the sea is the most important thing for me. I feel calm and peaceful when I look at the sea.
Geir Henriksen, 56
Norway
For me it is important to have public safety and justice, democracy, family and friends
Kitikorn Srichoochat
Thailand
I want a one story house, two bedrooms, kitchen and living room. I'd love to have big windows and a sea view. But not too big a house so it is easier to clean. I would also like to have a small garden surrounding the house.
Freya Roe, 27
USA
I need friends or family, someone to hang out with, and a job so I can feel productive! I also need books I can read when I'm alone and some table or board games to have fun with friends. And of course the Internet to be able to talk to my family.
Arisa Hirano, 30
Japan
In order to feel at home I must personally feel comfortable in the area where I live. It has to be surrounded by nature and quiet.
The most important furnishing item for me is a big sofa in the living room where my husband and I can cuddle together. The kitchen plays a big role for me because I love to bake. I can never throw away my beloved baking tins!
Roger Dionizio, 13
Brazil
The most important thing for me is to have friends and something to do. At home I just need my parents and a place to sleep on.
Jesús Morales, 34
Spain
My house should have plenty of natural light, a large living room with a long table with plenty of chairs for special evenings. Underfloor heating preferably from green energy, fiber optics and automation opportunities should be available in all the rooms.
But the most important thing is to feel at home, safe and enjoy your house with family and friends.
Alejandra Sanchez, 37
Colombia
My house is very important to me as it is also the area where it is located. I like a blend of functionality and beauty. I love large windows, recreational spaces to share, but it is also important to have some private spaces. I like to keep everything in order with smart solutions. I have my studio at home so it´s important for me to be able to combine my work with family life.
Ramya Jishin, 30
India
It is important for me to spend time with my family and friends. I am happy that here on Åland it´s possible, even if I have a busy work schedule.
Juha Pykäläinen, 63
Finland
The most important thing for me to live and feel at home on Åland is a safe society.
Bethania Nascimento, 37
Brazil
I want a big house, I have many friends and want to have room for them all to dance. At home, I want to feel comfortable and safe.
Rannvá Eiriksdóttir Åkerblom, 42
Faroe Islands
I am 42 years old and was born and raised in the Faroe Islands to a Danish mother and Icelandic father! To feel at home, it is important for me to have a network, to have someone I trust and can enjoy sharing experiences with (except my husband of course!) It took me 4-5 years to meet friends from Åland, I was invited to a girl gang, they had grown up together so it was a great honor to be among them!
